Calendar of Events
American Alligator. Credit: Theresa T. Baldwin, USFWS
January
- Manatee Park Discovery Day - fourth Saturday in Jan.
- Interpretive programs and tours begin Jan. 1 thru March 31.
Call for details. 239-472-1100 - An abundance of shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, passerines, and raptors can be found
February
- Wading birds begin to show breeding plumage
- Shorebirds are plentiful and often seen feeding on mudflats
March
- Florida Jr. Duck Stamp Art Competition entries are due
- Refuge water impoundment draw down to coincide with shorebird migration
- Peak of osprey nesting
- Adult spoonbills leave the refuge to head to nesting grounds
- Waterfowl begin to migrate north
- Interpretive programs end.
Snowy Egret. Credit: Denny Souers, USFWS
April
- Earth Day Festival - in cooperation with Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Tarpon Bay Explorers, and Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
- White pelicans begin to migrate north
- Peak of wading bird nesting
- Peak of snowy plover nesting
- Black-necked stilts begin to nest at the Bailey Tract
May
- International Migratory Bird Day - 2nd weekend in May
- Florida Jr. Duck Stamp Reception
- Mangrove cuckoo sightings become more frequent
- American crocodile begins to nest
- Sea turtles begin to nest on Sanibel beaches
- Male alligators may be heard bellowing to attract a mate
American White Pelicans. Credit: Theresa T. Baldwin, USFWS
June
- National Boating and Fishing Week
- Peak of sea turtle nesting
- Female alligators begin to nest
July
- 4th of July Parade - in cooperation with the City of Sanibel
- Manatees can be found in Tarpon Bay
August
- Manatees can be found in Tarpon Bay
- Sea turtle hatchlings are emerging from their nests
West Indian Manatee. Credit: USFWS
September
- Ding Darling Children's Editorial Cartoon Contest
- National Estuaries Day - last Saturday in Sept.
- Spoonbills returning to refuge
- Beginning of migratory bird season
October
- Ding Darling Days/National Wildlife Refuge Week - 2nd full week of Oct.
- Refuge water impoundment draw down to coincide with shorebird migration
- horebirds are visible in refuge impoundments
November
- White pelicans begin to arrive on the refuge
- Waterfowl begin to arrive on the refuge
- Peregrine falcons can be seen along the Wildlife Drive
Osprey. Credit: Denny Souers, USFWS
December
- Numerous waterfowl can be observed
- Manatees can be seen at Lee County Manatee Park
Other Yearly Events
- Homeschool Day - varies by subject and month
- Jr. Refuge Manager Badge - daily in Education Center
